This article draws attention to bio-resource management and how it is conducted in Nigeria. The country’s projections and constraints to management will be considered.

It is necessary to note that the continual depletion of plant and animal species and the degradation of ecosystems, stemming primarily from economic motives, have become issues of growing global concern.

Despite the unbridled rate of exploitation of biodiversity globally, the rate of replacement has not matched the level of use. Consequently, the number of threatened and endangered species is increasing. There is a need to preserve their diversity, and focusing on the activities of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation will be of great importance.

Bio-resource Management and Conservation in Agriculture

Management is an important aspect of conservation. It involves planning to control the exploitation of resources and ensuring their judicious use. Bio-resource management is a critical part of natural resource management, encompassing all abiotic factors essential to sustaining biotic components.

The success of bio-resource management depends on favorable environmental conditions, such as proper waste control and management, particularly gaseous emissions that promote global warming a factor contributing to biodiversity loss.

Bio-resource Management Practices in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the government has established various agencies to manage natural resources. Thus, bio-resource management is carried out alongside the management of natural resources by:

The Forestry Department of the State and Federal Ministry of Agriculture
The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA)
The Rivers Basin Development Authorities
The Department of Wildlife Conservation
Zoological and Botanical Gardens in some Nigerian universities
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)
Nigerian Game Reserves Authorities

The Role of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is one of the foremost environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Nigeria. It was established to achieve the following objectives:

i. Saving the country’s flora and fauna from extinction

ii. Protecting the environment from pollution and degradation

iii. Improving the quality of life for custodians of Nigeria’s wildlife heritage

Since its establishment, NCF has been deeply involved in specific projects aimed at improving the Nigerian environment and its management. These conservation centers include:

1. Game Reserves for rare animals: Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, Borgu Game Reserve, and Kainji Game Reserve in Niger State, Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State, and Okomu Sanctuary in Edo State

2. Forest Reserves for plants and trees: Olomu Forest Reserve in Kwara State, Milki Hill Forest Reserve in Enugu State, Zamfara Forest Reserve in Zamfara State, Shaha River Forest in Ogun State

3. Conservation projects: Hadejia-Nguru Wetland Conservation Project and Kano Desertification Control Project. These projects require financial and technical support for their sustainability.

Nigeria’s Projections on Bio-resource Management

In practice, biodiversity suggests sustaining the diversity of species in each ecosystem while planning human activities that affect the use of land and natural resources.

The Federal Government’s policy goal on biodiversity conservation is to ensure the sustainable use of forest resources and preserve the many benefits derived from soil, water, and wildlife conservation for economic development.

Among the current priority programs in Nigeria are the extension of National Parks and Reserves and the compilation of Nigeria’s flora and fauna. The Nigerian Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) reviews the status of biodiversity conservation in Nigeria, identifies gaps, and develops strategies to bridge these gaps.

The government’s mission is that Nigeria’s rich biological endowment, together with its diverse ecosystems, will be secured, and its conservation and management assured through appreciation and sustainable utilization by the Year 2010.

Nigeria will continue to be active in international conservation efforts, while at the local level, infrastructural, human, and institutional capabilities will be developed to ensure the equitable sharing of biodiversity benefits over time.

Strategies for Bio-resource Management in Nigeria

The Nigerian strategy for bio-resource management will focus on:

i. Inventory and rehabilitation of all threatened and endangered species of fauna and flora

ii. Expanding the network of protected areas to include all ecosystem types consistent with international standards

iii. Enhancing both in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts through identification, evaluation, monitoring, research, education, and public awareness

iv. Increasing national capability in biodiversity management (human, infrastructural, institutional, and technological)

v. Developing economically and culturally sound strategies to combat biodiversity loss

vi. Protecting and promoting policies for bio-prospecting and indigenous knowledge (intellectual property rights)

vii. Rehabilitating degraded ecosystems

Constraints to Bio-resource Management in Nigeria

Bio-resource management in Nigeria faces several constraints, including:

i. A shortage of trained manpower**

ii. Limited access to appropriate technology

iii. Inadequate funding for implementation

Biodiversity, defined as the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem or biome, is a key measure of ecosystem health. Greater biodiversity indicates a healthier ecosystem, and since it is partly influenced by climate, it is of great importance to be properly managed.

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Bio-resource Management in Agriculture